Fired Gay Ohio Teacher: Union Won’t Back Complaint

A gay teacher challenging her firing by an Ohio Catholic school says the local union for Catholic educators has decided not to proceed with her complaint.

Carla Hale said Monday the grievance committee for the Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators isn’t supporting her efforts to get back her job as a physical-education teacher. The association hasn’t returned telephone calls seeking comment.

Hale also filed a complaint with the city of Columbus, which prohibits firings based on sexual orientation.

Hale says she was fired from Bishop Watterson High School after her partner’s name was revealed in her mother’s published obituary and someone complained.

Bishop Frederick Campbell says Hale was fired not because of her sexual orientation but because she violated the church’s moral teaching by having what he describes as a "quasi-spousal relationship" with a woman.

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Comments

Anonymous, 2013-05-13 18:05:28

Meanwhile the Bishop rapes small boys but doesn’t live with them or call it gay. I’m beginning to think the Muslims are right about the Christians.

BOB KELLERMAN, 2013-05-13 19:46:17

Of course the union of CATHOLIC educators is not going to back her, because she defied the bishops, who are full-court press for stopping equality. WHY AREN’T PEOPLE PICKETING EVERY CATHOLIC CHURCH?

Anonymous, 2013-05-13 21:40:13

The church would excommunicate JESUS CHRIST himself. I am ashamed to have been raised Catholic.

Anonymous, 2013-05-14 07:12:26

She should sue the school, the union, and the church.

Anonymous, 2013-05-14 09:34:30

As well they shouldn’t back her. She accepted that job knowing they don’t condone her lifestyle. The Church is a private organization and enjoys the ability to employ people of their choosing at will. She shouldn’t have accepted the job in the first place. That’s like forcing gay bars to hire straight bartenders. They can if they want, but they don’t have to. Would you force Hooters to hire male waiters? While it would be nice, that’s not what they are about.

Anonymous, 2013-05-14 11:04:50

Dear anonymous - Catholic Schools take public money. Therefore they do not get to decide these things based on their faith . Oh wait that’s in every western country EXCEPT the USA ,where religion trumps all . Not much difference between America and most Muslim countries and Americans don’t even seem to realize it !!

Anonymous, 2013-05-14 11:48:02

It’s not about maintaining their "code", it’s about violating her rights. Ohio is an "at will" state but that shield is weak. Termination at will doesn’t mean she doesn’t have cause for wrongful termination. Homosexuality is not what you do, it’s what you are and if you want to go the Christian route, God made us all and doesn’t make mistakes.

Anonymous, 2013-05-14 19:43:37

So, are all the teachers who have been divorced or are having sex out of wedlock fighting their firings? What about those who have taken the lords name in vain or haven’t been to confession? Are they protesting their firings?

A jury found an Ohio archdiocese discriminated against a teacher fired after becoming pregnant via artificial insemination, leaving legal experts expecting an appeal they say could have a much wider legal impact.